March 19, 2008

Ecclesiastes - what a book.
Today we talked a little bit about seasons of life - the students came up with a list of some which we all go through.
We then checked out the Bible Dictionary and found out a little more about this book. We learned that it was written by David's son, the king (Solomon? most likely?)..
We know that Solomon had SO many riches - it was out of control. I think this makes the book even that much more insightful. Additionally, knowing what kind of wisdom he had even adds to the bang.
We read in the bible dictionary that 'vanity' as used in this book refers to 'transitory or fleeting'.

The students opened up to chapter three, and as they listened to the Byrds version of Ecclesiastes in the song Turn Turn Turn, they underlined everything that they heard mentioned. It was pretty well represented. We talked about what the main point might have been - what the author might have been trying to tell us through these verses.

Then, we had the students stand on their chairs. They closed their eyes and imagined that they had just hiked up a huge mountain. From their vantage point, they could see everything below them. People were miniscule, and cars and vehicles looked like little toys. We talked about what they saw - people shopping, getting mugged (that was an active imagination), people watching T.V. We talked about what type of advice we would want to give these people as we saw them from our vantage point.
Back in our seats, we talked about what this author was really trying to tell us.
We read the second to last chapter in the book, 12:13. Let us hear the conclusion of the matter...the author spent almost 12 chapters talking about all of the things of the world that we get wrapped up in, all of the petty things, all of the bad hair days etc. Finally, he shares what he thinks is really the most important and what we should be focusing on..."Fear God and keep His commandments"...
What a huge message! He's had time to see everything from such a different vantage point. He's had wine, women, money, power, glory of the earth and nations, and even as the wisest person - this is the most important.

Finally, developing this idea further - we discussed Christ upon the mountain. As Christ was tempted by Satan, He was tempted with three things. Food, angels (power) and the city. Christ was fasting at that time - there would be a time when He would eat - but it wasn't that time. Christ would have a time when the city would/will be His - but it wasn't that time. Christ had a time when the angels would hold him up - but it wasn't that time. Everything has a time - somethings are more important today than they will be tomorrow. We need to "Fear God and keep His commandments" and make sure that we are doing things at the proper time - for there truly is a season for all.